Raising SWAI In An Aquaponics System - Vietnamese River Sharks - Pangasius Hypophthalmus

I'm experimenting raising Vietnamese river sharks, also known as swai or basa, in an aquaponic system! These fish are popular for their delicious taste and hardiness. We'll follow their journey from tiny fingerlings all the way to monsters!

The Experiment: Swae vs Tilapia

I'm always looking for ways to improve my aquaponics setup, and tilapia, while a good protein source, can be a bit boring. Enter the swai! These fish are known to grow much larger than tilapia, potentially offering tastier fillets. In this video, I document the challenges and rewards of raising swai in an aquaponics system. Can I get them to breed in captivity? Will they prove to be tastier than tilapia? Stay tuned!

Breeding Challenges and a Fishy Discovery

Breeding swai in captivity seems to be the biggest hurdle. While the little fish at the pet store seemed like a good starting point, it turns out they had no idea these little guys can grow into giants! After a visit to a commercial swai farm, I discover they use special techniques to extract eggs and fertilize them in a lab setting. Not exactly replicable in my backyard setup! But that doesn't stop me from trying. I bought 30 fingerlings and introduced them to the existing swai in my aquaponics system. Will they defy the odds and breed? Only time will tell!

Whether this experiment is a success or a delicious failure, it's bound to be fun! I'll keep you updated on the progress, and the second there are any signs of baby swai or eggs, you'll know about it in the next video. In the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments!

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